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Labour Force Status

Labour Force Status (LFSP)

This variable records a person's labour force status for the week prior to Census Night. The variable classifies people aged 15 years and over as employed working full-time, part-time or away from work; unemployed looking for full-time work; looking for part-time work; or not in the labour force.

The questions relating to Labour Force Status (LFSP) were first asked in the 1911 Census. The categories were revised in 2006 to align more closely with standard labour force concepts collected in the Labour Force Survey (cat. no. 6202.0). Further information on Census Topics 1911–2011. More information can be found in How Australia Takes a Census (cat. no. 2903.0).

The non-response rate for this variable was 5.6% (6.5% in 2006). More information is available from the 2011 Census non-response quality statement.

LFSP is derived from responses to a number of questions on the form. Data is captured automatically from four mark box responses (questions 34, 35, 46, and 47 on the Census Household Form) and from the written numeric response from question 44 (hours worked). Occupation information from questions 38 and 39 may sometimes be used. Sample checks of the data are undertaken to ensure an acceptable level of quality.

More information on LFSP is available in the 2011 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0).

Questions 34, 35, 44, 46, and 47 as they appeared on the 2011 Census Household Form

Data for this variable is mainly derived from questions 34, 35, 44, 46 and 47 on the Census Household Form.


Text only versions of these questions are also available.



Text only versions of these questions are also available.

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2011 Census Dictionary

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